I know, I know . . . everybody is busy these days. But for reals, I have been getting it done. I am so proud of myself.
I've also realized that when I laser focus in on a specific task, I just can't seem to do other stuff . . . like blog. Or read. Or cook dinner. Or even leave my house.
I wish what I had to tell you was more exciting, but alas . . . it's not. I've been cleaning. Like deep cleaning.
Do you ever feel like you want to start from one corner of your house and clean and purge your way to the other side from the top to the bottom?
We've been in this house for 17 years and stuff has accumulated, even though I think we do a good job of not being hoarders. I'd like to move to have a fresh start, but that's not happening with kids the age of ours. So I had to take matters into my own hands.
It took me a few days of being lazy with Getzy and the oldest kid gone, but then my motivation found me. I didn't take any before pictures because I really didn't start with the idea of accomplishing much . . . it just sort of happened.
I started in Kyle's room because a.) he was home and b.) his closet was atrocious. He wasn't super thrilled, but I agreed to rearrange his furniture so that helped my cause.
So in each kids' room, I (sometimes we, if the kid was agreeable) cleaned the closets from top to bottom. I cleaned the baseboards and vacuumed the room edges. I steamed cleaned everyone's carpet. I ordered new bedding and curtains. I ran the stuff animals through the dryer to get the dust off and washed anything else I could find. I rearranged everyone's furniture because it feels like new that way. I wiped down the walls and cleaned above the windows and doors. I cleaned out every dresser drawer, desk drawer and cubbyhole. I bought bins at Target and made keepsake bins for each child . . . things like trophies, favorite trinkets, stuffed animals . . . and a scout bin with all their Boy/Girl Scout related items. And I finally did little tasks that have been ignored forever like framed and hung certificates, organized martial arts belts on a display, hung the fancy lights I got each kid last year and a million other silly little tasks. It felt amazing.
Amanda and I also went through our bookshelves and donated over 100 books. We kept lots for "the grand kids" but have paired the shelves down to just what's current. Oh, and her fancy turntable complete with my old 45 collection. Raise your hand if you even know what I'm talking about.
![]() |
Abby showing off the cleaned up book shelves. We have an oddly large upstairs landing so we use it to house books and dogs, obvs. |
A memorable moment happened this past week . . . I'd been cleaning out the boys' rooms and my own closet, kind of going back and forth so I wouldn't get bored in one spot. Amanda, on her own accord, comes into my room with an armful of pajamas and says, "You can give these away because they will make someone else happier than they make me."
![]() |
This was like 10 o'clock at night . . . she's such a night owl. |
Her new favorite item, besides her fancy new Nike shoes for middle school, is the "ghost" chair for her vanity. You have to admit . . . it is super cool. She needed a new one since we got rid of her old chair . . . there's a story on that one below.
![]() |
What chair? I don't see a chair! |
![]() |
Those martial arts belts were a beast to display . . . it involved zip ties, pliers and scissors. Craftastic! |
I once took my Girl Scouts on a field trip to our local store, and we learned a lot about their work programs, how they donate goods to other countries and recycle electronics. And quite frankly, I don't want the items, I'm too lazy to have a yard sale and I like the tax write off so it's all a win to me.
My car was loaded down for those trips as well, and my swagger wagon isn't small.
This was a light load compared to the other trips! |
So the first run was a car full, and this gentleman working the drop off door was not the fastest person on the planet. He was quiet but helpful as I handed him things from the car. When I drove back with just the chair, I thought I'd make it fast and easy on myself by rolling down my window for the receipt and popping the trunk for the door worker to get the chair. Typically the workers want you to let them get it so I thought I was being both efficient and wise to just stay out of the way. Bada boom, bada bing . . . in and out!
I saw the same gentleman working and thought, well this won't be as fast as I'd hoped. Sure enough, he didn't come to the car so I waited a bit and then just got out to get the chair and be done with it. I know I sound like an impatient asshole, but I was very polite both times. The "assholery" was only in my head. He sees me and comes to the car. I say all cheerful like, "Sorry, not a big donation . . . just a chair." And he very slowly and kindly says to me with a smile, "Every donation helps. Big or small. It helps." Then he took the chair from me and walked back inside.
Of course I thanked him, but little did he know it was a thank you for making me slow down and realize all of my blessings in life. It was a lovely change of perspective when I least expected it. And patience is a virtue that tends to allude me, but I'll keep working on it. Progress, not perfect.
Not only did I clean the entire upstairs, I also got some serious work done outside. Getzy removed a couple of trees before he left. He worked hard with the boys trying to remove the stumps but that job is a beast. Here's some proof!
![]() |
Abby and I were the peanut gallery sitting and watching the "show!" Confession: I love it when Getzy gets all manly and teaches the boys new stuff! |
![]() |
I know it doesn't look like much work but trust. |
![]() |
I swear it looks better in real life. Stupid pictures. |
![]() |
What kid doesn't want one of these? I had one when I was little too. I'm sure it will die soon, but it's fun while it lasts. |
Combing your hair is obviously optional in the summer. |
We did do one day trip with friends last week . . . I didn't want to do any new adventures since Ryan was gone, but he's done Helen with us before so I didn't mind doing this without him.
We visited the North Georgia Zoo first . . . it's basically a giant petting zoo so we bought a couple of buckets of food to make it more exciting! It seems like some tame family fun, right? Uh, no. It was not.
There was tortoise sex. And yes, I just said that. I was awful . . . Especially with 4 teenage boys there. They thought it was hysterical. I was mortified.
![]() |
Look away . . . this is not that kind of blog. |
![]() |
Those four boys are a serious squad . . . love those kids! |
Well, that sums up the past couple of weeks. Exciting stuff? No, not really, but hey, that's life.
The best news is my menfolk arrived home last night from their two week trek and being stuck in the Denver airport for 26 hours. My heart is full and happy to have everyone back under one roof. I can't wait to see all their pictures and share their adventure!